SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 40

(By Senators Oliverio, Prezioso, Jackson

Tomblin (Mr. President), McKenzie, Bowman, Ross and Sharpe)

Recognizing Industries of the Future-West Virginia as a program that is vital to the future of certain industries in the state.

Whereas, Over one half of West Virginia's manufacturing employment is involved with the production of aluminum, steel, metal casting, glass, chemical/polymers and wood/forest products; and
Whereas, Industries of the Future-West Virginia is a state- level version of a national program developed through the United States Department of Energy by the Office of Industrial Technologies; and
Whereas, The purpose of Industries of the Future-West Virginia is to provide a catalyst for projects, partnerships and programs that increase energy efficiency, reduce and utilize waste materials and generally improve industrial productivity; and
Whereas, The Office of Industrial Technologies has two main components: (1) To develop a vision for twenty years; and (2) to have university and government research teams work with industry members to identify projects that will achieve each industry's long-term vision; and
Whereas, Six West Virginia industries are involved with Industries of the Future-West Virginia program; and
Whereas, In all six of these industries, university researchers work with industrial colleagues on projects to increase energy efficiency, reduce and utilize waste materials, improve productivity and ensure the industry's success in the global marketplace; therefore, be it
Resolved by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That the Legislature hereby recognizes the outstanding contributions of Industries of the Future-West Virginia to the future of the state's aluminum, steel, metal casting, glass, chemicals/polymers and wood/forest products; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Legislature recognizes the importance of Industries of the Future-West Virginia to the future global competitiveness of each of the participating industries; and, be it
Further Resolved, That the Clerk of the Senate is hereby directed to forward a copy of this resolution to Caulton L. Irwin, the director of Industries of the Future-West Virginia,.